The Keys To A Successful Outdoor Wedding
Ah, to celebrate your wedding outside! The bright blue skies, the natural décor, the romantic breeze—at least, that's how you envision your ceremony and reception. The reality? A lot can happen on the day of, especially if you're celebrating en plein air.
As a premier outdoor wedding venue in Colorado, we know a thing or two about putting on an outdoor wedding. And as a venue surrounded by the Boulder Flatirons, we also know it’s extremely important to be prepared for any circumstance an outdoor wedding may throw at you. Everything from out-of-nowhere wind to last-minute thunderstorms can disrupt the wedding day's events unless you plan for the unexpected well in advance.
Whether you are having a large gathering or an intimate affair, you'll want to ensure you and your loved ones are comfortable for the duration of your outdoor event. Taking the necessary precautions to ensure a seamless guest experience will also help you stay stress-free on the day of the wedding. After all, you shouldn't have to worry about the weather or a last-minute plan B on the happiest day of your life.
Looking for more ways to plan and execute the ultimate outdoor wedding? We’re sharing some of our best tips.
Secure A Tent
When it comes to your outdoor wedding setup, you will want some sort of overhead cover. The hard part is finding a location that will let you put up a tent. Luckily, Greystone has over 70 acres for you to place your reception tent in a meadow on top of a mountain.
But here's a pro tip: Even some sturdy tents can't withstand heavy rains and fierce winds. Greystone secures tents that can withstand winds up to 100mph and tents with sidewalls in order to keep the rain out. This requires a professional team that has worked in the Colorado mountains before. You also need to make sure the tent comes with a fire-resistance certificate for safety.
Nevertheless, in certain months (November-April), you definitely need to have an indoor backup plan. Greystone also has an indoor reception space for up to 130 guests. This February, we had a stunning winter wedding. The guests we able to endure the -15 F temperature due to our indoor backup option. Even a tent cannot be winterized in these conditions. Luckily, we were able to accommodate and have an amazing event. No one even knew how cold it was outside!
Transform The Space
One of the best parts of planning a wedding? The decorating of course! Wedding decor is where your vision will come to life! If your outdoor wedding is going to be under a tent, make sure you transform that tent into the space of your dreams. The tent provides a great foundation for your creativity and a backbone for your florals, lighting, and drapery.
Take Advantage of the Natural Scenery
Probably one of the major reasons why you're choosing an outdoor wedding set up is because you're inspired by the natural elements of your venue. Greystone Castle boasts two pristine mountain meadows of 35 acres each, surrounded by pine trees and aspens, tall flowing grass, and fresh air. With views almost too good to be true, we encourage you to incorporate the natural scenery into your decor. It is a great way to utilize your budget in other areas (live band, food, beverage) if you want to save on florals and decor since we are surrounded by natural beauty.
Don’t Forget About Lighting
The scenery comes courtesy of Mother Nature, but the lighting after sunset? That’s all you. Our pro tip: use warm lighting throughout the tent and on the outside of the tent. Using warm lighting instead of fluorescent lighting will make your venue feel extra cozy as the night goes on. It is also wonderful to provide very well-lit pathways for your guests going to and from the transportation and to the restrooms.
Have a Plan B
We get it: The last thing you want to do while planning your wedding is planned another wedding. But worst-case scenarios happen, and you'll want to be organized. And should you wake up to drizzle and a bummer forecast on the big day, don't wait until right before guests start arriving to make the call. The more time you have to prepare, the better. Greystone is here to make the best of any weather scenario.
Prepare For The Weather
If you’re having an outdoor wedding, odds are your amount of screen time has shot up 90% from frequenting the weather app. The weather is really what makes or breaks an outdoor wedding, especially if you’re not properly prepared.
Depending on the looming forecast (good or bad) here’s what you need to remember:
If rain is in the forecast, have a collection of umbrellas available to offer shelter to your guests.
If a hot day is in the forecast, help keep your loved ones cool with beautiful fans, big umbrellas, and cool drinks at the ceremony and especially at the dance-filled reception! Greystone is 2,500 feet higher than Denver’s elevation, so guests are able to stay cooler.
If mild weather is in the forecast, keep your guests warm with thin blankets. On a mild weather day, the time of your vows may be perfect, but as soon as the sunset there’s a good chance you’ll find your guests chilled. Space heaters in the tent are a must for days like this.
Master the Seasonal Menu
Our Greystone Chefs recommend steering clear of rich, heavy foods in warmer weather and instead showcase refreshing produce, such as tomatoes and watermelon. Anything sticky like cheese, certain dips, and finger food should be served after the sun goes down. And most importantly, keep your dessert out of the heat as long as possible. Even though your cake may make the most stunning table decoration, it shouldn’t be left out to melt before the big cake-cutting ceremony! Greystone will also highlight seasonal foods and the menu will change to feature what is being harvested from our greenhouse.
These are a few tips to keep in mind when planning your open-air affair. If you’re dreaming of an outdoor, mountain wedding then the Greystone Castle in Boulder, Colorado is the place for you! Come celebrate your big day in the mountains.